Salt wetting apparatus and brine applicator

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, a conventional pickup truck is equipped with a tailgate spreader and a salt wetting apparatus. In another embodiment, a conventional pickup truck is equipped with a tailgate spreader and a brine dispensing apparatus. In yet another embodiment, a conventional pickup truck is equipped with a tailgate spreader, a salt wetting apparatus, and a brine dispensing apparatus.

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Ser. No.61/358,213, entitled SALT WETTING APPARATUS MOUNTABLE ON TAILGATESPREADER, filed Jun. 24, 2010, and U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 61/361,206,entitled BRINE APPLICATOR COUPLED WITH TAIL GATE SALT SPREADER, filedJul. 2, 2010, both which are incorporated herein by reference.

I. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of Invention

This invention pertains to the art of methods and apparatuses regardingthe application of snow and ice treatment substances to roadways,parking lots, sidewalks, and other ground surfaces. More specificallythis invention pertains to a snow or ice treatment dispensing apparatussized and adapted to be mounted in pickup trucks or other smallvehicles.

B. Description of the Related Art

It is well known in the ice and snow treatment industry to apply salt orother granular substances to ground surfaces such as roads, parkinglots, and sidewalks. When salt is applied to a ground surface, thetraction obtained on the ground surface is improved. Also snow and iceare not as strongly bonded to the ground surface and thus are easier toremove. However there are several drawbacks when salt alone is appliedto ground surface. First, salt or other granular substances tend tomigrate from the location where they are first applied. This migrationmay occur as the granules hit the surface and bounce or roll in variousdirections thus making the application ineffective. A second problem isthat it may take significant time before a salt—liquid solution (brine)is formed on the ground surface. The importance of the resultingsolution is the fact that it will remain in liquid form at temperaturesbelow the freezing point of water. Thus the granular salt must stay inplace on the surface for a sufficient time to form an effectivesolution. Attempted solutions to this problem include control systemsfor salt dispensing and spreading apparatuses. Some such control systemstry to control the relative velocity between the salt granule and theground surface by adjusting the dispensing speed. These systems arecostly and add an additional level of complexity to the apparatus. Athird problem is that the brine solution formed from applying salt to asnow or ice covered surface may be too dilute to provide an effectivesurface treatment. Attempted solutions to this problem includeincreasing the amount of salt applied to the surface. This solution addscost as it requires more salt or treatment substance.

A second class of solutions to the above problems involves wetting orcoating the salt by applying a liquid solution to the salt. Thesesolutions can involve applying liquid to the salt before it enters thedispensing device or after it exits the dispensing device. Wetting orcoating the salt before it lands on the ground surface increases theamount of treatment substance that stays on the ground surface andincreases the time the treatment substance stays on the surface, thusimproving the treatment's effectiveness. One problem with wetting orcoating the salt before it is dispensed is the tendency for lumps toform thus making it difficult to dispense or rendering a portion of thetreatment substance unusable. Thus wetting or coating the salt as it isdispensed avoids the problem of trying to put lumps of material throughthe dispensing apparatus. But trying to wet or coat the salt after itexits the dispenser also has problems. These problems revolve aroundensuring the salt is wetted or is properly coated with liquid before itlands on the ground surface. Known solutions to this problem involvecontrolled mixing chambers where the salt is coated or is wetted by aliquid. This solution adds addition components, additional complexity,additional power to implement, and thus requires a larger apparatus toimplement. Also the larger size requirement of this equipment restrictsits use in several important ground surfaces. Thus these larger machinesare not used on pedestrian ground surfaces (i.e. sidewalks, campusareas), small residential streets, or parking lots.

However, it has not been known to effectively wet, and/or coat, anddispense the salt in a smaller tailgate spreader environment. Further,it has never previously been provided a source of liquid or a wettingand/or coating apparatus in order to be used effectively in conjunctionwith a tailgate spreader.

There are also several problems when only liquid treatment is applied toa ground surface. One problem is obtaining effective concentrationsafter the liquid treatment is applied to the ground surface. Often theresult after application of the liquid treatment is a highly dilutedsubstance covering the ground surface which is ineffective. Anotherproblem with liquid treatment systems is controlling the applicationrate and distribution pattern when traveling at highway speeds so thatthe liquid treatment is properly applied to the ground surfaces.Attempted solutions to this problem include implementing control systemsto the apparatuses. Some such control systems try to control therelative velocity between the dispensed liquid and the ground surface byadjusting the dispensing speed. These systems are costly and add anadditional level of complexity to the apparatus.

What is needed is a modular, inexpensive, less complex, lower powerconsuming, smaller in size, and reliable apparatus to dispense granularsalt and liquid treatment substance to ground surfaces. It has notpreviously been known to combine a brine applicator with a tail gatespreader.

II. SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of this invention, a salt wetting apparatusmay be used with an associated conventional pick-up truck that maycomprise a bed and a tailgate. The apparatus may comprise: a containerthat: (1) is suitable to be supported on the bed of the associatedconventional pick-up truck; and, (2) is suitable to hold a salt wettingliquid; a tailgate spreader that: (1) is suitable to be supported to theassociated conventional pick-up truck juxtaposed to the tailgate; (2)comprises a hopper that is suitable to hold granular salt; (3) comprisesa rotatable spreader element that is rotatable to direct the granularsalt from the rotatable spreader element to a ground surface; and, (4)is suitable to dispense the granular salt from the hopper onto therotatable spreader element; and, a pump that is operable to pump thesalt wetting liquid from the container through a conduit to therotatable spreader element. The pump and tailgate spreader may beoperable to apply the salt wetting liquid to the granular salt, forminga wetted salt material, as the granular salt is on or near the rotatablespreader element. The rotatable spreader element may be rotatable todirect the wetted salt material to the ground surface.

According to another embodiment of this invention, a brine dispensingapparatus may be used with an associated conventional pick-up truckcomprising a bed and a tailgate. The apparatus may comprise: a containerthat: (1) is suitable to be supported on the bed of the associatedconventional pick-up truck; and, (2) is suitable to hold a salt-waterbrine; a tailgate spreader that: (1) is suitable to be supported to theassociated conventional pick-up truck juxtaposed to the tailgate; (2)comprises a hopper that is suitable to hold granular salt; (3) comprisesa rotatable spreader element that is rotatable to direct the granularsalt from the rotatable spreader element to a ground surface; and, (4)is suitable to dispense the granular salt from the hopper onto therotatable spreader element; a brine applicator that: (1) is supported toone of the associated conventional pick-up truck and the tailgatespreader; and, (2) comprises a brine dispensing element; and, a pumpthat is operable to pump the salt-water brine from the container,through a conduit, and through the dispensing element to the groundsurface.

According to yet another embodiment of this invention, a salt wettingapparatus and a brine dispensing apparatus may be used with anassociated conventional pick-up truck comprising a bed and a tailgate.The apparatus may comprise: a first container that: (1) is suitable tobe supported on the bed of the associated conventional pick-up truck;and, (2) is suitable to hold a salt wetting liquid; a second containerthat: (1) is suitable to be supported on the bed of the associatedconventional pick-up truck; and, (2) is suitable to hold a salt-waterbrine; a tailgate spreader that: (1) is suitable to be supported to theassociated conventional pick-up truck juxtaposed to the tailgate; (2)comprises a hopper that is suitable to hold granular salt; (3) comprisesa rotatable spreader element that is rotatable to direct the granularsalt from the rotatable spreader element to a ground surface; and, (4)is suitable to dispense the granular salt from the hopper onto therotatable spreader element; a first pump that is operable to pump thesalt wetting liquid from the container through a first conduit to therotatable spreader element; a brine applicator that: (1) is supported tothe tailgate spreader; and, (2) comprises a brine dispensing element;and, a second pump that is operable to pump the salt-water brine fromthe container, through a second conduit, and through the dispensingelement to the ground surface. The first pump and tailgate spreader maybe operable to apply the salt wetting liquid to the granular salt,forming a wetted salt material, as the granular salt is on or near therotatable spreader element. The rotatable spreader element may berotatable to direct the wetted salt material to the ground surface.

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement ofparts, embodiments of which will be described in detail in thisspecification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form apart hereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the salt wetting apparatus andtailgate spreader.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the salt wetting apparatus and tailgatespreader.

FIG. 3 shows a rear view of the salt wetting apparatus and tailgatespreader.

FIG. 4 shows a close up view of the salt discharge area.

FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 but shows the salt discharge area from aperspective closer to ground level.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the brine applicator and tail gatespreader.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of the brine applicator and tail gate spreader.

FIG. 8 shows a rear view of the brine applicator and tail gate spreader

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the salt wetting apparatus, brineapplicator, and tailgate spreader.

FIG. 10 shows a side view of the salt wetting apparatus, brineapplicator, and tailgate spreader.

FIG. 11 shows a rear view of the salt wetting apparatus, brineapplicator, and tailgate spreader.

IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes ofillustrating embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes oflimiting the same, FIGS. 1-5 show one embodiment where a conventionalpickup truck 10 is equipped with a tailgate spreader 20 and a saltwetting apparatus 5. The pickup truck features a bed 12 into which maybe selectively received a tank 30 or other container for holdingmaterials, such as salt-water mixture (brine), water, water-salt slurryor other activating agent. In one embodiment, tank 30 contains water.

With continuing reference to FIG. 1, a conventional tailgate spreader 20is shown. The tailgate spreader has a removable top 22 which can beselectively removed and replaced. The top 22 is removed to fill thehopper 24 with salt and, after the hopper 24 is filled, the top 22 isreplaced to keep the salt dry.

With reference to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the tailgate spreader 20fits onto the back of a conventional pickup truck 10, often by means ofa trailer hitch receiver 11. The trailer hitch receiver 11 may feature a“female” square shaped hole into which may be received a “male” squareshaped hitch extension 21. This apparatus (the hitch receiver 11 and thesquare shaped hitch extension 21 of the spreader mounting apparatus 13)work together to secure the spreader 20 selectively to the rear of thepickup 10. Further securement apparatuses, such as cotter pins 15 andthe like may be used as needed.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, in the bed 12 of the pickup truck 10 isa container 30. In one embodiment, the container 30 contains water. Thewater may be selectively applied to the salt discharge area 23 by themeans of the pump discharge conduit 32. The first end of the pumpdischarge conduit 32, designated the pump exit end of the conduit 33, isattached to the discharge side of a pump 31. In one embodiment, the pump31 is supported to the container 10, as shown. The second end of thepump discharge conduit 32, designated the discharge end of the conduit34, may be affixed near the salt discharge area 23. This configurationprovides a stream of water to the salt discharge area 23. The dischargeend of the conduit 34 may be fitted with a nozzle 38 which allows theexiting liquid's distribution pattern to be controlled. The tank hose 35is attached to the tank 30 at the first end, designated the tank exitend 36, and to the pump 31 at a second end, designated the pump inletend 37.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, in the preferred embodiment, thedischarge of the salt hopper 24 may be fitted with a rotatable spreaderelement 25 with radially-extending vanes 26, mounted on a shaft. Alsorigidly affixed to the hopper 24, near the rotor 25, may be a guidesurface 28. The guide surface 28 may be affixed substantiallyperpendicular to the rotational plane of the rotor 25. The guide surface28 may be shaped to cooperatively guide material exiting the rotor 25.Thus the guide surface 28 serves to direct the material to the groundsurface or to direct material back to the rotor 25. The rotor 25 may beactivated by a motor 27. The activation causes the rotor 25 to rotate.At or about the same time the rotor 25 is activated, the hopper 24 exitmay open thus allowing the salt to be dispense from the hopper 24. Therotational motion of the rotor 25 imparts a force to the salt fallingfrom the hopper 24 thus disbursing the material. Therefore, in a typicalapplication, when the salt is to be spread, the associated operator (notshown) in the pickup truck 10 activates a switch which causes thespreader activation mechanism 27 to rotate. As the rotor 25 spins andsalt falls from the hopper 24 (that is, dispensed) onto the rotor 25, aforce is applied to the salt by the rotor vanes 26. Generally, the salt,aided by the guide surfaces 28, assumes an arch shaped pattern as it isspread. At the same time, while the salt is on or near the rotor 25 andvanes 26, water from the tank 30 passes through the conduits 32, 35 andexits from the discharge end of the conduit 34. The water is applied tothe salt discharge area 23, the rotor 25, and the salt. Therefore, asthe salt is spread, immediately before it leaves the spreading apparatus20 and hits the surface to be controlled, it is coated, wetted,sprinkled, or otherwise generally comes in contact with water or otheractivating substance forming a wetted salt material. The degree ofwetting or coating the salt receives is improved by its interaction withthe guide surface 28, the salt discharge area 23, and the rotor 25.Adjusting the distribution pattern of the liquid exiting the hose via anozzle 38 also improves the degree of wetting or coating. Wetting and/orcoating improves the effectiveness of the salt as a ground surfacetreatment substance.

In an alternate embodiment, the various functions of the salt wettingapparatus and tailgate spreader may be manipulated by a control system.The system may be operated by the associated operator in the pickuptruck 10. The system may allow the rotor 25 activation motor 27 to beactivated or terminated. Also the rotational speed of the rotor 25 maybe controlled. In conjunction with the activation mechanism 27 orseparately, the pump 31 may be activated or terminated. Also the systemmay be used to control the flow rate of the liquid via valves or thenozzle 38. The system may be used to open or close the hopper 24 bottomgate thus allowing salt to fall to the salt discharge area 23. Thesystem may also manipulate the nozzle 38 thus adjusting the liquid'sdistribution pattern and flow rate.

FIGS. 6-8 show another embodiment where a conventional pickup truck 10is equipped with a tailgate spreader 20 and a brine dispensing apparatus7. Because the pickup truck 10 and tailgate spreader have been discussedabove, further details will not be provided here. In the bed 12 of thepickup truck 10 is a container 30. In one embodiment, the container 30contains salt-water brine. The brine applicator 40 may be selectivelyreceived by the tail gate spreader 20 via the brine dispenser support41. On one end of the brine dispenser support 41 may be formed anattachment surface 42. The attachment surface 42 may detachable matewith spreader frame 29. On the distal end of the brine dispenser support41 may be mounted at least one brine dispensing tube 43. The brinedispensing tube 43 may extend in a direction essentially perpendicularto the longitudinal axis of the pickup truck 10 and parallel to theground surface. Also mounted to the brine dispenser support 41 may be aspray guard 44. The spray guard 44 may extend parallel to the brinedispensing tube 43 and may be located above the brine dispensing tube43. The spray guard 44 may direct brine towards the intended locationsand away from undesirable locations.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 6-8, the brine may be selectivelysupplied to the brine dispensing tube 43 by means of the pump dischargehose 32. The first end of the pump discharge hose 32, designated thepump exit end of the hose 33, may be attached to the discharge side of apump 31. The second end of the pump discharge hose 32, designated thebrine dispenser inlet end of the hose 34, may be affixed to the brinedispensing tube 43. This configuration provides a source of brine to thebrine dispensing tube 43. The dispenser inlet end 34 may be fitted witha flow regulator valve 38 which allows flow into the brine dispensingtube 43 to be controlled. The brine dispensing tube 43 may contain atleast one liquid dispensing element 45 spaced along its longitudinalaxis to dispense brine to the ground surface. The dispensing element 45may be orientated such that brine is dispensed substantially downwardtowards the ground surface. The dispensing element's 45 location,spacing and orientation relative to the ground surface may be chosenwith the sound judgment of a person of skill in the art. The dispensingelement 45 may take the form of nozzles, orifices, apertures in thebrine dispensing tube 43, or any other element chosen with the soundjudgment of a person of skill in the art.

Still referring to FIGS. 6-8, the tank hose 35 may be attached to thetank 30 at the first end, designated the tank exit end 36, and to thepump 31 at a second end, designated the pump inlet end 37. Therefore, ina typical application, when the brine is to be dispensed, the associatedoperator (not shown) in the pickup truck 10 activates a switch whichcauses the pump 31 to activate thus providing a pressurized supply ofbrine to the brine applicator 40. The brine is generally distributed tothe ground surface over the entire track width of the pickup truck 10and areas extending beyond the track width on either side of the pickuptruck 10. The application of brine improves the traction of the groundsurface.

In an alternate embodiment, the various functions of the brineapplicator and tail gate spreader may be manipulated by a controlsystem. The system may be operated by the associated operator in thepickup truck 10. The system may allow the rotor 25 activation mechanism27 to be activated or terminated. Also the rotational speed of the rotor25 may be controlled. In conjunction with the activation mechanism 27 orseparately, the pump 31 may be activated or terminated. Also the systemmay be used to control the brine flow rate via valves or the brinedispensing element 45. The system may be used to open or close thehopper 24 bottom gate thus allowing salt to fall to the salt dischargearea. The system may also contain other elements chosen with the soundjudgment of a person of skill in the art. The elements and configurationof the control system may be such that either the tail gate spreader orthe brine applicator may be selectively installed and operated.

In a second alternate embodiment, the brine dispensing element 45 maycontain a mechanism which allows the dispensing element 45 to be rotatedabout the brine dispensing tube's 43 longitudinal axis. This featureallows the brine to be dispensed at adjustable angles relative to theground surface. Also the brine dispensing element 45 may contain amechanism which allows the dispensing element's 45 spacing along thebrine dispensing tube's 43 longitudinal axis to be adjustable. Theangles and spacing may be chosen with the sound judgment of a person ofskill in the art.

FIGS. 9-11 show another embodiment where a conventional pickup truck 10is equipped with a tailgate spreader 20, a salt wetting apparatus 5 anda brine dispensing apparatus 7. Because the pickup truck 10 and tailgatespreader have been discussed above, further details will not be providedhere. The basic operation of the salt wetting apparatus 5 and a brinedispensing apparatus 7 have also been described above. Note, however,that container 30 may be used with the salt wetting apparatus 5 and aseparate container 3 may be used with the brine dispensing apparatus 7.The containers 30 and 3 may be, in the embodiment shown, separatecompartments of one vessel. Pump 31 and conduit 32 may be used with thesalt wetting apparatus 5 while pump 50 and conduit 52 may be used withthe brine dispensing apparatus 7.

Numerous embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods andapparatuses may incorporate changes and modifications without departingfrom the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include allsuch modifications and alterations in so far as they come within thescope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

1. A salt wetting apparatus for use with an associated conventionalpick-up truck comprising a bed and a tailgate, comprising: a containerthat: (1) is suitable to be supported on the bed of the associatedconventional pick-up truck; and, (2) is suitable to hold a salt wettingliquid; a tailgate spreader that: (1) is suitable to be supported to theassociated conventional pick-up truck juxtaposed to the tailgate; (2)comprises a hopper that is suitable to hold granular salt; (3) comprisesa rotatable spreader element that is rotatable to direct the granularsalt from the rotatable spreader element to a ground surface; and, (4)is suitable to dispense the granular salt from the hopper onto therotatable spreader element; a pump that is operable to pump the saltwetting liquid from the container through a conduit to the rotatablespreader element; wherein the pump and tailgate spreader are operable toapply the salt wetting liquid to the granular salt, forming a wettedsalt material, as the granular salt is on or near the rotatable spreaderelement; and, wherein the rotatable spreader element is rotatable todirect the wetted salt material to the ground surface.
 2. The saltwetting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the conduit comprises a nozzle thatallows the exiting salt wetting liquid's distribution pattern to becontrolled.
 3. The salt wetting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the saltwetting liquid is water.
 4. The salt wetting apparatus of claim 1wherein the salt wetting liquid is a salt-water brine.
 5. The saltwetting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the associated conventional pick-uptruck comprises a trailer hitch receiver and the tailgate spreadercomprises a hitch extension that is suitable to be received in thetrailer hitch receiver to secure the tailgate spreader to the associatedconventional pick-up truck.
 6. The salt wetting apparatus of claim 1wherein the tailgate spreader comprises a guide surface that: (1) isaffixed substantially perpendicular to a rotational plane of therotatable spreader element; and, (2) is suitable to direct the wettedsalt material to the ground surface or back to the rotatable spreaderelement.
 7. A brine dispensing apparatus for use with an associatedconventional pick-up truck comprising a bed and a tailgate, comprising:a container that: (1) is suitable to be supported on the bed of theassociated conventional pick-up truck; and, (2) is suitable to hold asalt-water brine; a tailgate spreader that: (1) is suitable to besupported to the associated conventional pick-up truck juxtaposed to thetailgate; (2) comprises a hopper that is suitable to hold granular salt;(3) comprises a rotatable spreader element that is rotatable to directthe granular salt from the rotatable spreader element to a groundsurface; and, (4) is suitable to dispense the granular salt from thehopper onto the rotatable spreader element; a brine applicator that: (1)is supported to one of the associated conventional pick-up truck and thetailgate spreader; and, (2) comprises a brine dispensing element; and, apump that is operable to pump the salt-water brine from the container,through a conduit, and through the dispensing element to the groundsurface.
 8. The brine dispensing apparatus of claim 7 wherein the brineapplicator comprises a brine dispensing support that is attached to thetailgate spreader.
 9. The brine dispensing apparatus of claim 8 wherein:the tailgate spreader comprises a spreader frame; and, the brinedispensing support comprises an attachment surface that detachable mateswith the spreader frame.
 10. The brine dispensing apparatus of claim 8wherein the brine applicator comprises: a dispensing tube that transfersthe salt-water brine from the conduit to the dispensing element; and, aspray guard that extends substantially parallel to the dispensing tubeand that directs salt-water brine towards intended locations and awayfrom undesirable locations.
 11. The brine dispensing apparatus of claim7 wherein the brine applicator comprises a flow regulator to control theflow of salt-water brine through the brine dispensing element.
 12. Thebrine dispensing apparatus of claim 7 wherein: the brine applicatorcomprises a dispensing tube that transfers the salt-water brine from theconduit to the dispensing element; and, the brine dispensing element isposition adjustable with respect to the dispensing tube to change theangle of the brine dispensing element with respect to the groundsurface.
 13. A salt wetting apparatus and brine dispensing apparatus foruse with an associated conventional pick-up truck comprising a bed and atailgate, comprising: a first container that: (1) is suitable to besupported on the bed of the associated conventional pick-up truck; and,(2) is suitable to hold a salt wetting liquid; a second container that:(1) is suitable to be supported on the bed of the associatedconventional pick-up truck; and, (2) is suitable to hold a salt-waterbrine; a tailgate spreader that: (1) is suitable to be supported to theassociated conventional pick-up truck juxtaposed to the tailgate; (2)comprises a hopper that is suitable to hold granular salt; (3) comprisesa rotatable spreader element that is rotatable to direct the granularsalt from the rotatable spreader element to a ground surface; and, (4)is suitable to dispense the granular salt from the hopper onto therotatable spreader element; a first pump that is operable to pump thesalt wetting liquid from the container through a first conduit to therotatable spreader element; a brine applicator that: (1) is supported tothe tailgate spreader; and, (2) comprises a brine dispensing element; asecond pump that is operable to pump the salt-water brine from thecontainer, through a second conduit, and through the dispensing elementto the ground surface; wherein the first pump and tailgate spreader areoperable to apply the salt wetting liquid to the granular salt, forminga wetted salt material, as the granular salt is on or near the rotatablespreader element; and, wherein the rotatable spreader element isrotatable to direct the wetted salt material to the ground surface. 14.The salt wetting apparatus and brine dispensing apparatus of claim 13wherein the first conduit comprises a nozzle that allows the exitingsalt wetting liquid's distribution pattern to be controlled.
 15. Thesalt wetting apparatus and brine dispensing apparatus of claim 13wherein the associated conventional pick-up truck comprises a trailerhitch receiver and the tailgate spreader comprises a hitch extensionthat is suitable to be received in the trailer hitch receiver to securethe tailgate spreader to the associated conventional pick-up truck. 16.The salt wetting apparatus and brine dispensing apparatus of claim 13wherein the tailgate spreader comprises a guide surface that: (1) isaffixed substantially perpendicular to a rotational plane of therotatable spreader element; and, (2) is suitable to direct the wettedsalt material to the ground surface or back to the rotatable spreaderelement.
 17. The salt wetting apparatus and brine dispensing apparatusof claim 13 wherein: the tailgate spreader comprises a spreader frame;the brine applicator comprises a brine dispensing support; and, thebrine dispensing support comprises an attachment surface that detachablemates with the spreader frame.
 18. The salt wetting apparatus and brinedispensing apparatus of claim 13 wherein the brine applicator comprises:a dispensing tube that transfers the salt-water brine from the conduitto the dispensing element; and, a spray guard that extends substantiallyparallel to the dispensing tube and that directs salt-water brinetowards intended locations and away from undesirable locations.
 19. Thesalt wetting apparatus and brine dispensing apparatus of claim 13wherein the brine applicator comprises a flow regulator to control theflow of salt-water brine through the brine dispensing element.
 20. Thesalt wetting apparatus and brine dispensing apparatus of claim 13wherein: the brine applicator comprises a dispensing tube that transfersthe salt-water brine from the conduit to the dispensing element; and,the brine dispensing element is position adjustable with respect to thedispensing tube to change the angle of the brine dispensing element withrespect to the ground surface.